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Walt Disney Animated Anthology: The Classic DVD Collection Set DVD Review by Yanman |
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Many people, when asked what they were waiting for before they would buy a DVD player answered, "Disney Classic Animation". Well, that wait has come to an end. The Walt Disney Animated Anthology contains nine movies: Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, Hercules, and the not so classic Lion king II Simba's Pride available separately or in an elegant boxed set. Anyone who is a collector will want to get the boxed set because less of them were made, not to mention that the box itself is a work of art embossed with characters from each of the nine films. The only hitch is that the movies will each only be available on DVD for a limited time (only 60 days and not again for 10 years!) so if you want these, you're going to have to hurry! If you have read reviews here in the past, you know that we normally do a complete review of each DVD. Not just the quality of the disc, but also a brief plot outline and movie quotes. But how does one do justice to a nine-movie set? To provide a complete review would be impossible, so I've decided to give just a brief review of each disc below. Click on the title to obtain more information. Pinocchio - This 1940 Classic is the oldest of the boxed set. The Woodcarver Geppetto wants nothing more in life than to have a son. The blue fairy will grant that wish if a puppet can prove he has the virtue to be a real boy and a good son. The video is a little soft and does show it's age, but the quality of the DVD is the best available considering the master print. The audio is Dolby Digital (2-Channel Pro-Logic Surround) and is above average, again considering the age of the film. No extras, THX-Certified. Peter Pan - Some people never grow up (including this reviewer) but in Never Land, the home of Peter Pan, you don't have to. Just be careful to avoid Captain Hook or you won't even grow one minute older. Video here is clean but also shows it's age. Audio is Dolby Digital (2-Channel Pro-Logic Surround). No extras. Lady and the Tramp - A love story to span ages, a true romance, after watching Lady and the Tramp you'll never want to eat spaghetti the same way again. The video here is a tad soft and does contain just a hint of digital artifacting, but overall the video is O.K. The audio is two channel stereo only, why they didn't re-master this one as well is beyond me. Again, no extras. 101 Dalmatians - Walt Disney was light years ahead of his time with 101 Dalmatians and the issue of animal furs. How would anyone want to turn cute fuzzy animals into a coat? The video is super sharp and clean, you will be able to count every spot on each Dalmatian. The audio is two channel stereo only on this "THX-Certified" DVD, and to think I was just itching to hear that toe-tapping song "Cruella De Vil" in full 5.1 sound! Am I sounding like a broken record yet? Not an extra to be had. The Jungle Book - What do you do if you're a young boy being raised by monkeys in the deep woods of India? Well, if you're Mowgli and you are hanging out with a happy-go-lucky bear named Baloo, you concentrate on the bare necessities of life! The Audio is Dolby Digital (2 channel surround). Video is clean, but not bright, still it is better than the VHS and at least as good as the laser disc version. Just like the other 5, no extras. The Little Mermaid - Want to know which one of the nine movies in the set is my favorite? This is it! Marking Disney's return to animated glory, the 1989 Little Mermaid is a true "new classic". Video is crystal clear with only a limited number of exceptions in the very dark complicated water scenes. Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 and fills the room well a number of times. Check out the fireworks coming from the boat for an example. You guessed it, no extras here either. Hercules - Sometimes animated features take themselves way too seriously, this is not one of those films. Hercules is a pure laugh-a-minute ride, climb on board and get ready to hang on. Great, almost perfect video, 5.1 sound, and yes even two extras (a music video and a making of featurette.) make this a welcome addition to the collection THX-Certified. Mulan - This ancient Chinese legend of a girl that disguises herself as a man and helps to win a war, is a delight to both the eyes and the ears. The video is flawless and so is the 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. This is the only one in the set that gives you a choice of viewing presentations (Widescreen 1.85:1 or Fullscreen 1.33:1). Extras include two music videos. THX-Certified. Lion King II Simba's Pride - This direct to video release is not really in the league of the other films in this set, and was probably just included to help boost its sales (and to increase the overall price of the collection). Still the story is good and the original voice talents reprise their roles, so most will enjoy it. The video is clean, sound is good (maybe a bit understated), and there is one extra at least, a music video. THX-Certified. If you are a video collector, a real Disney fan, or have kids this is a collection that should not be missed at any price. If you are just a fan of any of the individual movies in the set, then run out and buy them now because this is the best that they will be presented (at least for the next 10 years.) If you're looking for extras, look elsewhere. The Disney Studios may have all started with a mouse, but now Classic Disney animation starts with a DVD.
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The Classic DVD Collection Set Anyone who is a collector will want to get the boxed set because less of them were made. Get the complete set now before they are gone forever. Or...get just your favorites . . . Pinocchio
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